FLT Charging Points

[AM]

Can anyone help with respect to charging points for forklift trucks - is there anything specific that should go into a risk assessment to prevent fires and for control measures? I know that the products of combustion released if the batteries are involved on fire are quite nasty. The guidance on the HSE website is quite vague, or is just stating "designated area kept free of combustibles, trained staff will only operate/maintain it, well ventilated area" sufficient?

Thanks in advance.

[kurnal]

Consider electrical safety- these things pass huge currents in charging-  and cables are always becoming crushed and grommets wrenched out of the chargers- regular test and inspection essential.

Also mount the chargers permanently in racks with mains power in armoured and fixed cables.

There is a formula to caculate the volume of hydrogen gas evolved in charging that dictates the ventilation required, Cant remember the number of the BS but it can be found through a google search. Unless the charger nstallation is very big usuually in a big warehouse there isnt a problem.

I usually specifiy a 5 kg CO2 for electrical fires but dont worry about a major incident - too specialist for first aid firefighting.

Be prepared for acid spillage and first aid eyewash stations. There a whole host of manual handling issues as well.

[Mr. P]

With battery charging, you have also to consider electrical apparatus, swithes, plugs, lights et al as well as correct ventilation (high & low level). As hydrogen gases given off from 'car' type batteries are flammable, elec items as above should be certfied safe for that area. Hydrogen being lighter than air accumalates higher up and forms explosive mixture with air. Signage- no smoking, no naked lights etc...

[Peter Wilkinson]

Are there any problems with locating charging equipment in warehouses that are sprinkler protected?  I don't suppose water sprinklers are the best protection for such hefty electrical kit.

[John Webb]

Sprinkler sprays are unlikely to be conductive as they will quickly break up into discontinous droplets. The main problem will be with 'ponding' on the floor or on/in the equipment which could cause problems. Equipment should be supplied through Residual Current Devices to reduce or remove the risk.